Latch



F. A. PORELL March 1.o, l1931.

LATCH Filed Nov. 1, 1928 .Z Z 6 ivm u F Patented Mar. v10, 1931 UNITED STATES FRANK A. PORELL, OF SANFQRD, MAINE LATCH Application filed November 1, 1928.

This invention relates to a fastening device designed primarily for use in securing screens in window frames.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a neat fastening device for maintaining screens and like structures in position in a window frame, which will be easy to manipulate, secure and positive in its action.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part of the present invention with the understanding, however, that the invention is not conlined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawing but may be changed or modified so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claim.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a window frame and screen showing the fasteners embodying this invention applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 3--3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawing it will be seen that the latch devices embodying the present invention are shown as applied to a window screen to maintain the samein position, the frame of the screen being indicated by the numeral 1 while the adjacent portion of the window frame in which the frame is positioned as indicated by the numeral 2.

1n practice I prefer to employ four of the present fasteners located two at the top and two at the bottom of the frame. However, any number thereof may be employed as found most convenient.

Each of the fasteners comprises a keeper o member 3 consisting of a hase plate 4 and a top plate 5, the top plate being of less length than the base plate as shown, and arranged to overlie the base plate and to conform to the contour of that end adjacent which it is positioned.

prevent the tongue from being removed by Serial No. 316,604.

The top plate 5 of the keeper structure is held in spaced relation to the base plate 4 by a spacing strip 6 which extends transversely of the base plate as shown in Figure 3.

Associated with the keeper 3 is a latch 55 tongue 7 one end of which is pivotally secured by a suitable fastener 8 to a supporting bracket plate 9, this bracket plate being provided with suitable apertures to receive holding screws 10 or the like by means of which 1t may be secured to a suitable supporting structure. The attached end of the latch tongue may be covered by the cap 11 which is held in place by the head of the securing member 8 and turns with the tongue. 65

When the keeper member 3 is mounted upon a frame body, the mounting screws 12 being passed through the base plate beneath the top plate 5, the bracket plate 9 is secured to the adjacent window frame in such position that the tongue 7 may be swung to pass between the base plate 4 and the top plate The space between these plates is just sutilcient to receive the tongue 7 so that firm frictional engagement is set up between the plates and tongue which prevents the tongue from becoming accidently disengaged.

1n order to make more secure the engagement of the tongue 7 between the plates 4 and 5 the spaces are provided with alined apertures 13 through which a suitable securing pin (not shown) may be passed to engage the plates above the latch tongue and children.

From the foregoing description it will be appreciated that this latching device may bc employed in numerous.capacities other than for maintaining screen frames in position and it will also be seen that while it may be made secure, it can be readily and quickly manipulated for fastening or unfastening.

Having thus described my invention, what 1 claim is 9 A fastening device of the character described comprising a pivoted latching tongue,

a keeper designed to frictionally receive said tongue, said keeper having alined apertures for receiving a locking member for the tongue, said tongue being adapted to fall into YertiQal position when in inoperative position said keeper comprising a base plate, an outer plaie, and an intermediate member adapted to maintain said base and onter plates in spaced relation to each other.

In testimon)7 whereof hereunto aix my signature.

FRANK A. PORELL. 

